I'm fostering 2 cats. They stay under the bed all day and night. How long will they be under there? Their owner died and I'm just fostering them until a home is found. I'm starting to feel stupid lying there with my head on the floor trying to coax them out.
2006-10-23 11:17:25 · 10 answers · asked by Sabine É 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
They're very scared right now. It is hard to coax them out unless they want to come out. However, if you let them stay under there, they probably won't ever come out on their own. I would make it so that they can't get under the bed. It is very important for them to socialize before going on to a new home. If they start this behavior right now, it probably won't stop at their new home. By taking their comfort zone away, they will be forced to learn that the outside world is not so bad.
I had a cat do this once, and I never saw her because she created this comfort zone under my bed. Just remember, they're really scared right now. Love and warmth is the best, but you can't love on them if they're under the bed.
2006-10-23 11:29:33 · answer #1 · answered by nmtgirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wear a shirt for a few nights to bed to get your Scent on it then place it just under the bed where the cat is staying. Leave it there for a few days and every time you feed the cat place the food near the bed and the shirt. The cat will thereofore be able to get used to yoir scent at his on pace and will associate food with you scent too. Cats love food. Maybe get some little catnip toys and put them under the bed or near the edge. And if you. An reach him give him a little scratch and then leave him but no matter what dont pull him out. You dont what to scare him more by draging him out and if u do he will associate you with being the scary thing that drags him out. Over the next few days pull the shirt further and further towards the edge and eventually just outside of the bed. This will hopefully draw him out. Dont rush it though. He will come out in his own time regardless. Cats are stubborn and he is probably just really confused. Good luck
2016-03-18 23:18:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave them alone. They feel safe there. If you had to deal with a dead owner, moving, and a strange person trying to get you to do something in a short time you'd crawl somewhere too.
Here's what to do.
1. Leave them alone. Put their food bowls and litter box where they should be permantly at your home.
2. Keep away small children and teasing children. Tell the entire family to stay away.
3. Move quietly in the room and keep the radio and tv at moderate to quiet levels or off.
4. Speak to them soothingly when you are in the room, just once or twice, without bending down to the bed or looking at them.
5. Leave a favorite toy in view outside the bed
6. If you have some of the owners things, like an old shirt or something they know, put it under the bed with them for the scent.
7. When you put out food, call them once. And go to another room.
8. Minimimize guests for awhile
9. Change litter daily. Use the same boxes and brands as the owner.
10. . Wait. It will happen. Leave them alone, let them be and be quiet-ish but live your life. When they do come out leave them alone and don't call but make it clear they are welcome. Be very queiet. If you hold your hand out do it palm up. Have food with you or treats in case they come close and leave it a few feet away and close by you
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2006-10-24 16:51:24 · answer #3 · answered by geocache22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the cats be. They're probably just afraid and waiting for their owner, wondering where they are. I guess the bed makes them feel safe and protected. Maybe the owner went on long trips and the cats hid under the bed until the owner returned. maybe the cats think it's another one of those times.
2006-10-23 11:26:42 · answer #4 · answered by Holly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I got my second cat, she stayed under the bed for what seemed like weeks. Part of that was that she was very shy, part of it was that my other cat was being mean, and part of it was that she had belonged to my grandfather and he passed away and I yanked her out and moved her 2 states away and away from her kittens. I think me trying to get her out scared her even worse. She would come out to eat and to use the litter box though, so I started giving canned cat food once a day to bribe her to come out and explore. (I also used it to bribe the cats to be near each other.) She's still shy when new people come around and will hide if there's a lot of noise or if she's stressed, but she eventually came around. Just let them come out at their own pace and ignore them when they do. If you try to lavish attention on them it will scare them away. Poor things are probably just scared to death, but they will adjust with time. Good luck!
2006-10-23 11:31:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
until they feel safe. They must be coming out for food and water. Just try to let them have their space. If you are looking for a quicker way, you can close the door with them locked out, and keep them in an open room, they'll sniff around and rub their cheeks to sent the area.
2006-10-23 11:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel Dreadful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There still scared because they both loose a loved one.When they are hungry and nobody is watching they both will come out.Give them time to breath.They lost and love one don't forget.
2006-10-23 11:31:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just don't know you good enough;wait and you will know what I mean.
2006-10-23 11:32:51 · answer #8 · answered by Megan W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they'll probablly come out when there hungry.
2006-10-23 11:24:50 · answer #9 · answered by forest lover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
quit chasing them they will come out when there ready
2006-10-23 12:53:44 · answer #10 · answered by great white fisherman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋